Eduard Atuesta

STATS PREVIEW: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Orlando City SC – 07.05.2025

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ROWDIES, TELL ME HOW IT FEELS! 📢 You know the rest! 😉 A Florida feud reignites this Wednesday as Orlando City SC travel to Al Lang Stadium to face old USL rival Tampa Bay Rowdies in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. It’s a nostalgic return to the competition that delivered our first MLS-era silverware in 2022, and die-hard Lions couldn’t be happier to be back – especially after City were controversially excluded from last year’s diluted edition due to Leagues Cup scheduling.

Personally, I’m thrilled we’re back, having boycotted the 2024 Leagues Cup in protest. Even better, Orlando City SC have a real shot at lifting the cup this year. With just 16 MLS sides controversially included this time, the field is wide open. Especially with big boys Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew not taking part! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Chicago Fire vs Orlando City SC – 03.05.2025

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Orlando, we’re coming to c̶o̶n̶q̶u̶e̶r̶ roll over! 😜 After a tough few weeks, Orlando City SC returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 derby victory over Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium. Piling the pressure on Ronny Deila, the result extended the Lions’ unbeaten run to seven games and restored some much-needed momentum heading into a busy stretch. Now, Oscar Pareja’s side will look to climb the Eastern Conference standings against Chicago Fire, who were just thumped 7-2 at Nashville SC. It was an embarrassing loss for Gregg Berhalter against his former USMNT assistant, B.J. Callaghan.

With confidence growing and key players finding form, City will now look to build on their fourth consecutive clean sheet. Another positive result on the road would keep the pressure on the teams above and further underline the Lions’ growing belief as the campaign hits its stride. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Atlanta United – 26.04.2025

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We couldn’t stop scoring in our first six MLS games – now it’s three without a goal. Football’s a funny old game! Orlando City SC may have extended their unbeaten streak to six matches (2-4-0), but last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at CF Montréal felt just as frustrating as our stalemate against New York Red Bulls. Following our third straight scoreless outing and Rafael Santos’ red card, Oscar Pareja’s Lions return to Inter&Co Stadium to face fierce rivals Atlanta United in a matchup that’s always action-packed.

Still reeling from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at 10-man Philadelphia Union – and last season’s Eastern Conference Semi-Final exit at our hands – Atlanta will be out for revenge. But while they’ve spent big – dropping a league-record $22 million on Emmanuel Latte Lath – their results have fallen well short of expectations. With both teams desperate for goals and momentum, another fiery edition of this Florida-Georgia feud awaits. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 19.04.2025

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Orlando City SC just extended their unbeaten MLS streak to five matches (2-3-0), but we left last Saturday’s scrappy 0-0 draw with New York Red Bulls feeling frustrated. Still preserving a second successive shutout despite Rodrigo Schlegel’s red card, Oscar Pareja’s Lions now travel north of the border to face CF Montréal in chilly Quebec. Right now, Papi is at a tactical crossroads: stick with his cautious 3-4-2-1 or revert to our familiar 4-2-3-1? Either way, we must now cope with Rodrigo Schlegel’s one-game suspension.

CF Montréal enter this match scarred from a 0-1 defeat to Charlotte FC in their long-delayed 2025 home opener last Saturday. Winless in eight games and still bottom of the East, they’re continuing to adjust under interim head coach Marco Donadel, who stepped in following the dismissal of Laurent Courtois on March 25. This is just CF Montréal’s second home game at Stade Saputo in 2025, following seven straight on the road – a yearly tradition to avoid Quebec’s harsh winter. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 12.04.2025

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Orlando City SC showed grit and growth last Saturday, grinding out a hard-earned 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union to claim our first clean sheet of 2025. Despite key midfielders César Araújo and Eduard Atuesta being unavailable, the Lions rallied to extend their unbeaten run to four games (2-2-0).

Now back on home turf and buoyed by a strong defensive display, City will look to keep the momentum rolling against familiar foes. Just four MLS games ago, Orlando City SC and New York Red Bulls played out a 2-2 draw in Harrison, New Jersey, and with last season’s bitter Eastern Conference Final loss still fresh, this one carries extra edge. Both sides come into the contest in good form. Red Bulls are fresh off a 2-1 win over in-form Chicago Fire, while City are looking more solid and settled with each passing game. Another step forward here could keep the Lions firmly in the playoff mix, albeit at this early stage of the season. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC – 05.04.2025

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Orlando City SC’s flair for the dramatic was on full display last Saturday. And given the venue, it was truly a Hollywood ending! On the night, a late surge saw the Lions secure a 1-2 comeback win at LA Galaxy – marking Oscar Pareja’s 200th match in charge and City’s second straight victory at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Having just achieved back-to-back MLS victories, the Lions now head to Subaru Park with revenge on their minds. Philadelphia Union’s 2-4 win on opening night remains Orlando City SC’s only home loss of 2025, but with City’s attack firing on all cylinders and confidence soaring after our first road win of the season, there’s no reason to fear this challenge. Meanwhile, Union are looking to bounce back after a 2-1 loss at Inter Miami, setting the stage for another intense Eastern Conference clash. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Gustavo Caraballo signing a first team contract with Orlando City SC

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After progressing through our development pathway, Academy and Orlando City B product Gustavo Caraballo has today signed a first team contract with Orlando City SC.

The 16-year-old Venezuelan forward has put pen to paper on a deal through 2027, with a club option for 2028. In doing so, he becomes the youngest player in Orlando City SC history to sign a first team contract at just 16 years and 198 days old.

Not only our latest Homegrown Player, Gustavo Caraballo becomes our seventh winter arrival after Colin Guske, Nicolás Rodríguez, Carlos Mercado, Marco Pašalić, Eduard Atuesta, and Joran Gerbet. Continue reading →

Who is Orlando City SC transfer target Agustín Soria?

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As we approach our 2025 MLS home opener against Philadelphia Union on February 22, the Orlando City SC Front Office continues to work tirelessly to strengthen the squad. After securing ready-made reinforcements in Marco Pašalić and Eduard Atuesta over the past two weeks, our latest target is reportedly young Uruguayan talent Agustín Soria.

Yesterday, journalist Guille López (@glopezferraro) tweeted that Orlando City SC have formalised an offer for the 20-year-old midfielder from Defensor Sporting, following an initial proposal that was deemed insufficient. With a $6 million release clause, Orlando City SC’s persistence signals their commitment to landing the promising youngster. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Eduard Atuesta

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16 days after Wilder Cartagena suffered a long-term Achilles tendon injury against Atlético Mineiro, Orlando City SC have today announced the signing of 27-year-old Colombian international Eduard Atuesta. Bringing trophy-winning experience to Inter&Co Stadium, the deep-lying playmaker adds much-needed quality and depth to our central midfield position.

Atuesta joins the Lions on a suspected free transfer after terminating his contract with Palmeiras. The transaction details are so secret that even Tom Bogert and Fabrizio Romano haven’t reported on them! Considering we sold Facundo Torres to Palmeiras for a club record $14 million back on December 20, Verdão have now paid us a big favour in return. Having signed a contract through 2025, with a club option in 2026, Atuesta becomes our fifth 2024/25 off-season arrival after Colin Guske, Nicolás Rodríguez, Carlos Mercado, and Marco Pasǎlić. Continue reading →

Who is Orlando City SC transfer target Eduard Atuesta?

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As the MLS off-season continues, Orlando City SC are working hard to strengthen the squad ahead of our 2025 campaign. Yesterday, North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted that the Lions “are nearing a deal to sign Colombian midfielder Eduard Atuesta from Palmeiras.”

If Orlando City SC finalise this deal, it will be a significant reinforcement. Eduard Atuesta is a proven MLS talent who knows the league inside out, making him a strong addition to the Lions’ midfield, especially considering Wilder Cartagena’s untimely Achilles tendon injury. Continue reading →